“Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.”

Busy nothings. Ah yes, I can relate. Jane Austen peered down at criticism with witty remarks and respectful patience. Her soul was that of a romantic, but her desire to mark her place in this world with her artistic tension consumed what little left of her soul was remaining.

Jane was born in 1775 to George and Cassandra. The Austen’s had a modest income but restrained, nonetheless. Cassandra brought 7 little Austen’s into the world. What a hectic home that must have been! Before Jane was born in 1771, the 2^nd born son (George) had a few developmental challenges that caused Cassandra to send him away to be fostered. He experienced seizures and was believed to have also been deaf and mute. I can only imagine being a mother during this time period. So many unknown medical issues with only speculation to make. One can’t help but wonder if they looked in on him later in life?

Jane’s older sister (also named Cassandra) was 2 years her senior. The sisters were extremely close, yet Jane and her brother Henry were near inseparable, as Henry wrote many cherished memories of her. Whether alone or surrounded by her family, Jane read novels often. At 11 years old she began writing poems and embellished stories for her entertainment, sharing each with her family. Jane was a comical character who relished amusing her family and took delight in performing for them. Jane was full of lively words as we know, but she was also anxious to dance her heart out, whether at dinners or fancy balls. Jane’s parents encouraged their children to have an open mind and discussed views that differed from theirs. They were literati folk  and took great amusement in the little things. I like the vibe in their house, just saying.

In 1783 Jane and Cassandra attended Oxford until they were sent home after becoming dreadfully sick with typhus (nearly dying)! After experiencing such a dramatic scare, she completed her schooling from home, until going to Reading Abbey Girl’s School for Reading in 1785. The schooling wasn’t only limited to reading though. The curriculum also included French, spelling, needlework, music and dance. Jane enjoyed it immensely, though it was very short-lived. The girls returned home in 1786 due to the hefty school fees pulling from the family budget. Time to cut back guys!

If you’ve ever read any of Jane’s novels, I’m sure you know they all seem to include passionate love stories and/or fiery relationships…when did all the romance start for our girl Jane you may ask? Well, lets flip the page to Tom Lefroy. Tom was a neighbor who visited from December 1795 through January 1796. He had just completed a university degree and was moving to London to train to be a barrister (which is a lawyer in common law jurisdictions). Jane wrote to her sister about Tom often, noting they spent an ample amount of time together. He was a gentleman, good-looking and very agreeable indeed. All good things!  So, what happened? Jane wrote to her sister just 5 days after her last letter, noting that she expected an offer from Tom. She was set on refusing him, unless he decided to not follow through with the barrister training. The following day, Jane wrote a third letter, sobbing out her sorrows as she wrote to her sister, “ The day will come on which I flirt my last with Tom Lefroy and when you receive this it will be all over. My tears flow as I write at this melancholy idea”.

Due to the financial limitations for both Jane and Tom, both knew their marriage would only cause suffering to the family, as neither had anything to contribute monetarily. No other suitors ever measured up to Tom. Tom’s family pushed him to continue his plan to venture to London and complete his training. Much to her dismay, Tom departed and she never saw him again. In 1798 Jane was still hung up on the memories and attachment to him. She had tea with one of his relatives and longed to inquire of him, but refrained, knowing there would be no benefit in doing so. Well, that settles that I suppose.

Jane began her first full-length novel Elinor and Marianne (otherwise known as Sense and Sensibility). The novel was published anonymously in 1811. Here comes the anonymous nonsense again! Writing as a female during this time was considered as “degrading” your femininity. No literary lionesses aloud! What a shame. Jane began her second novel in 1796, (First Impressions) completing it in 1797 at age 21. This book is my all time favorite! Many of you may know it as Pride and Prejudice. The name of the novel changed at the time of publication. Jane read pieces of Pride and Prejudice aloud to her family as she completed sections,  and the family unanimously agreed it was the favored choice. Janes father submit her novel to a publisher, requesting he consider publishing it. His letter was declined and there is no mention if Jane knew of her father’s efforts and pride in her writing. Incredibly sweet and also impressive he had such confidence in his daughter’s talents – quite rare during the 18^th century.

In 1800, Jane’s father retired and decided the family would move to Bath, Somerset. Jane had only lived in one home her entire life-obviously she wasn’t sure of what to expect. Due to the big adjustment and unknown possibilities, Jane is said to have suffered a bit of a depression and stopped writing new pieces…or she could have just been out and about, socializing much more during this period. There is speculation of both. In 1802 Jane had some shall we say, interesting news.

Harris Bigg-Wither was an old-time acquaintance of Jane and the family. He was heir to the extensive family estates near Jane’s childhood home. Harris was a plain, hefty/large, and tactless man who often stuttered and spoke with an aggressive tone. Hmmm, not sure how I feel about this one, Jane. He proposed to Jane and despite his well-known, crass behavior, she accepted his proposal. Don’t do it, Jane! Undoubtedly she knew by accepting, she would have the ability to help her parents in their old age, offer a home to her sister Cassandra and possibly support her brothers in building their vocations, motivated her to conform to this dubious agreement.  She went to bed. She woke up. Panic set in and she realized immediately she couldn’t follow through with this marriage. She needed to marry for love. And Harris, well, she was not a fan of his company. Good call, Jane!

In 1805 her father passed away suddenly, leaving the family in financial hardship. She felt the situation they were now in was far too familiar, as a new novel she was working on, (The Watsons) encompassed a plot of a mother and daughters suffering financial hardships. She understandably stopped writing this novel as the story line was scratching wounds still raw and bleeding upon the loss of her father. The next four years the family visited with various sides of extended family, jumping from home to home. Finally, things looked up! In 1809 her brother Edward offered his mother and sisters a cottage near his estate in Chawton village. Life was quiet there and they entertained very little, differing from previous years. During her time in Chawton, she published four novels-all well received. All of which, were of course, published anonymously. Hey Jane, you’re a success! But… no one knows about it. Heh.

In 1816 Jane began feeling sick, but often ignored indications. By the middle of the year, her health began severely deteriorating. Her cause of death is documented as Addison’s Disease. Jane brushed off her condition, describing it a bile. Soon, she experienced difficulty walking and lacked energy, but by April she was confined to her bed. In May she was in such excruciating pain she no longer wanted to feel, think or breath. Her sister and brother took her Winchester for treatment, where she passed away in July 1817, at only 41.

A mere few months after Janes death, her brother Henry and Cassandra arranged for her novels Persuasion and Northanger Abbey to be published. Henry contributed a biographical note in December 1817, identifying the true author of  all those anonymous novels, as the ever-loved Jane Austen. Jane finally became recognized as a brilliant author, gaining status and fame… after her death. Her novels were later republished in Richard Bentley’s Standard Novel series and sold as a set. They continued to extend wider praise and applause, along with a true fan club (myself included). In 1869, 52 years after her death, her nephew published of A Memoir of Jane Austen that voiced details of Jane’s career and personal life, as quiet as it may have been.

Those with quiet lives often have the most creative minds, don’t you think? We have enough to keep track of with our imaginations alone! Jane Austen is another writer I am truly fascinated by. In a time when females had limited (if any) options, especially someone who didn’t come from money, she decided to “go for it” anyway. To follow her passion, to follow her heart and accept the risks of refusing security, not settling for anything less than what her soul needed to be happy. Gambling her future, but deeming herself worthy of the high stakes.

“I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way.” -Jane Austen

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